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in the Balkans.
In general, such a solution must take more account of the national sentiment and will. National pride is very strong in Albania and if properly utilized will be a powerful asset in rebuilding the state. Great Britain, France and Italy were all three parties to the London Conference creating an independent Albania and guaranteeing its territorial integrity - an agreement no less binding certainly than the Secret Pact.
But if the 1913 agreement is to be repudiated and Albania is to be treated as a "former turkish colony" and have a mandate imposed upon her according to paragraph 4. Article 22 of the League Covenant; then, by the same paragraph "the wishes of the people shall have chief consideration."
Likewise the solution must we believe, take more careful account of the economic situation. The territories claimed by Albania's neighbours will contribute comparatively little to their wealth and prosperity, as great states; but investigation will we belive show that they are absolutely vital and essential to Albania as a viable state. If Italy does not wish to profit from Albania as Premier Nitti says, let her make good her words and withdraw from Valona. Doubtless some arrangement could be made; as for example the occupying of the island of Sasseno which absolutely dominates the harbour and city of Valona; thus giving Italy the military and naval security which she seeks. Then with some show of sincerity and consistency she can proclaim her adherence to the principle of an independent Albania, which will go far towards securing the consent of Greece to relinquish her claims in Northern Epirus; especially since she is being so generously re-
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warded in Thrace and Macedonia.
Mr. Trumbitch, speaking for the Yugo-Slav Delegation concerning Albania has, as Your Excellency well knows, spoken in the strongest terms for the independent Albania recognised by the London Conference of 1913, and of his confidence in the Albanian nation to govern itself.
The Albanian Delegation is credibly informed that there is a powerful sentiment in Italy against the policy pursued by its government in Albania, and that if the government could "save its face" it would be willing to withdraw.
The Delegation believes that the simplest and essiest solution would be for all inverested parties to withdraw and with the Great Powers themselves, recognize the absolute independence of the Albanian State, letting her work out her own destiny. But if the League of Nations deems it wiser to bestow a mandate, or appoint a High Commissioner for a short time, let it be through a nation having no direct interest in the country. - America above all, but Sweden or Switzerland.
With proper boundaries and security from outside interference, Albania would present no such problems as Armenia, for exemple. Its population is unmixed, its resources are ample, its location is strategic, and we believe that immediately the reconstruction of the nation would begin and that in time full proof would be given of its ability to take a worthy place among the nations.
Profoundly grateful for all your Excellency has done to save the nation from extermination, we beg that you will continue with the same courage and insistence, your demands
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THE ALBANIAN REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED STATES WASHINGTON. D. C. "THE PORTLAND"
The Fourth of October, 1920
The Honorable Joseph Tumulty, Secretary to the President of the United States, The White House, Washington, D.C.
Sir,
I have the honor of submitting to you my respectful request for a private interview with you, at your own convenience, for the purpose of enabling me to acquaint you with a leading issue relating to the country I am representing in the United States.
Thanking you in advance,
I remain, Sir, Your most obedient servant,
C. A Chekrezi Commissioner of Albania to the United States
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MEMORANDUM ON THE PRESENT SITUATION OF ALBANIA
The Albanian Commissioner to the United States begs to submit the following facts as deserving of consideration in determining the attitude of the Government of the United States toward Albania:
After a long series of momentous crises during which their fate hung in the balance, the Albanian people stand out to-day as a united nation under a stable Government resting on the will of the people as expressed by their representatives assembled in Parliament. Yet, it is impossible to tell when and whether Albania would have ever been able to pull through by herself fighting as she was against overwhelming odds and having set against herself the great European Powers, besides a still larger number of lesser, but not less dangerous, States, all of whom were bent on either her complete subjugation or destruction, were it not for the powerful assistance she has had on the part of the United States. It is sufficient to be recalled that during the nefaste days of last January when the great European Powers were agreed to dismember Albania, when even the Albanians themselves gave up all the hopes they rested on abstract justice but just the same prepared themselves for a glorious end instead of an ignominious betrayal on the part of the Powers that had undertaken to regulate the affairs of the world, it was only the noble and firm stand of the President of the United States that averted the threatened catastrophe. Ever since the name of America and of her President has been on the worshiping lips of every Albanian. Moreover, the stand taken by the President of the United States on that occasion did not only frustrate in a definitive way the project of the partition of Albania, but it also accomplished two very important things: in the first place, it awakened the slumbering liberal forces of Europe which therewith rallied to the support of the just cause of Albania; in the second place, it proved to the Albanian people that the selfish interests of the European Powers were demoralized completely when they came into contact with the moral policy of the United States.
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